The proposed Plimmerton
Farm Plan Change is part of the Council’s response to the shortfall in housing
and residential land in Porirua, which has been signalled previously through
the City’s Growth Strategy and Northern Growth Area Planning.

Porirua’s population has been growing rapidly
in the past few years and there’s not been enough housing and land available.
This development will help meet some of that housing shortfall, says Manager
Environment and City Planning Stewart McKenzie.

“The plan change seeks to rezone Plimmerton Farm from Rural Zone to a new Plimmerton
Farm Zone which includes 2000 houses ranging from townhouses located on smaller
section sizes through to stand-alone houses on large lots, a retirement
village and small commercial centre with a supermarket.

“It protects and adds to significant natural areas
including wetlands that are part of the Taupō Swamp Complex, retires steep
slopes and gullies from grazing, and adds extensive planting and natural
reversion to native forest cover. The Council requires careful management of
stormwater quantity and quality to protect sensitive receiving waters including
Taupō Swamp and Porirua Harbour and exemplary development practice to protect
the environment. A network of public open space linked by walkways and
cycleways for the local community and wider Porirua and Wellington is also
planned.”

There
will be a six-week period for written submissions followed by the opportunity for
further submissions and then a hearing before an independent hearing panel. The
hearing panel’s recommendation will go to the Minister for the Environment, who
will make the final decision on the plan change.

“The
plan change will also implement important aspects of the Draft District Plan
and is the first development within the city’s identified Northern Growth Area.
Community and stakeholders have played an important role in shaping the draft
plan change and will continue to do so through the plan change process,” Mr
McKenzie says.